...Hallyu began roughly 12 years ago when the rest of Asia discovered Korean soap operas. One of the breakthrough dramas was a series 'Winter Sonata' starring Choi Ji-woo & Bae Young-Joon. After that, more Korean dramas saw their way to foreign shores and Korean films and music started to follow suit. Korean marketing people started to see a Korea-centric trend. They dubbed this flow "The Korean Wave" or Hallyu....

6.11.12

[News] Cha Seung-won stars in Tokyo play.

Cha Seung-won, 42, took on his first theater role in Japan on Saturday.

The
Japanese press reported that Cha starred alongside Tsuyoshi Kusanagi
from former idol group SMAP in the play “Bring Me My Chariot Of Fire” at
the Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo.

Cha said the two actors have been friends for over five years.

“Since
I’ve known [Kusanagi], he’s maintained his integrity and we have a
strong friendship,” Cha told reporters at a press conference ahead of
the show.

Kusanagi said he was excited about the chance to work with Cha.

“It’s
the first time I’ve taken to the stage with a Korean actor, so I’m
excited,” said the Japanese idol group singer from the 1980s.

The
play was written by Korean-Japanese writer Jung Eui-shin and is set in
the early 20th century. The play focuses on the friendship of artists
from Korea and Japan who work together to preserve traditional Korean
arts.